Event

The Russian Soul, In Song

Slavyanka's new Artistic Director Irina Shachneva debuts with two concerts featuring Andrey Nemzer, Moscow counter-tenor Grand Winner of the 2012 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Mr Nemzer will sing arias from operas by Glinka and Rimsky-Korsakov, romances by Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky, and selected solos with the Slavyanka Men's Slavic Chorus.

Celebrating 200 years of Russian presence in California, Slavyanka's program of sacred, composed, and folk music from Russia and Eastern Europe will feature a brand new repertoire, including several pieces that date from the early 1800's, when Fort Ross was built just north of the Russian River a river which early Russian explorers named the "Slavyanka."

Irina Shachneva studied choral directing in Russia and the United States, and lived in Boston from 1996 to 2011. While in Boston, she founded the Boston Russian Chorus and was Artistic Director for the Rachmaninoff International Festival of Russian Music in 2011 and 2012. She became Artistic Director of Slavyanka Chorus in 2012. "I've dreamed of directing a Men's Slavic Chorus for many years," says Ms. Shachneva, "so I'm delighted and excited that Slavyanka has given me the opportunity to fulfill that dream."

Slavyanka's Founding Director Paul Andrews says "Irina is a first rate professional choral conductor, and we are absolutely delighted to welcome her as our new Artistic Director." Slavyanka President Donn Davy says "It's a match made in heaven. Irina is inspiring our singers to new levels of musical and spiritual depth and quality. Her rehearsals are a joyful challenge, and we are excited to debut Slavyanka's new sound at these concerts with Andrey Nemzer."

Winner of one of only five Grand Awards at this year's Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions finals and the first Russian ever to do so, Andrey Nemzer studied at the Moscow Choir College and became a touring soloist with the Moscow Choir under the direction of Viktor Popov. He recently completed studies for an Artist Diploma at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, where he now an adjunct professor of voice. Mr, Nemzer also will be the alternate for David Daniel in the title role for Handel's Giulio Cesare for a new production at the Met during their 2012 - 2013 season. He loves to sing a wide variety of music, from opera to show tunes and jazz.